Customer Reviews

Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX / 430EX

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This DVD focuses almost entirely on studio photography: use of the 580EX with carefully positioned diffusers and reflectors and use of multiple Speedlights under master-slave control (even though I suspect most studio photographers use strobes, not compact Speedlights).

My shooting style is to take travel pictures and people candids. I wanted to learn how to use the 580EX mounted on my Canon EOS 5D camera to improve those types of pictures. On this subject the DVD is virtually silent. So if that's your objective, don't buy this DVD.

Being new to the Canon Speedlite, I've spent several days on internet reading up on them and how best to utilize them. That coupled with the manual that came with my 580EX gave me a good idea of features etc., but what none of my research did for me was let me wrap my head around how it all came together in real world photography. This DVD in one short hour took care of that for me. It is beautifully balanced between explaining the basics of lighting for photography and then showing how to use Speedlites to accomlish this. I've already watched it several times and I plan on watching it a few more times after I've taken some more pictures.

If you're new to the Speedlite and confused a bit about all the features and how to put them to work, this is the DVD for you. Highly recommened.

Flash lighting is a complex subject which I'm sure is why so many flash photos come out looking as they do. Highlights blown away, backgrounds dark as a cave and not much in between.

Some of these problems are due to equipment, but more are directly related to a poor understanding of how modern flash units work and what it takes to get the most out of them.

The Canon 580EX II and 430EX are marvels of technology and will enable you to produce studio quality images every time.

The manuals the come with these units are very detailed and will explain every button, switch, and function on the units. What they don't do is tell you when you use these features and what else you need to know to get to best results.

This one hour long CD fills this gap and more. If you follow along, take the time to do the exercises, and review your results you will see a startling improvement in your flash photography.

You will no longer look at these units as just bright lights, but a real creative tools.

The CD is not perfect. Some sections are passed over too quickly or not discussed at all. But for the most part you will get the information you need to make your investment in your Speedlight pay off for you

The 580EX II is not specifically covered as I guess it was too new at the time this CD was produced. But the basic information you will require to use it is there.

I was very surprised with the information that was given in this DVD. The whole DVD is interesting and full of useful information that will make you re-think the way that you take pictures and the examples shown only help you to further understand how to use the speedlites to the max.

I would recommend this DVD to anyone that want to learn more creative ways to use the flash and for users that are just starting in flash photography.

I've had my 580EXII for about 2 months now and have just been experimenting with it. I just picked up a 2nd 580EXII and figured it would be worth looking into this DVD for some clarification of the advanced modes as well as different types of effects I can get with my flash.

I found it to be good at explaining some functions and how the camera works - functions like rear curtain flash and why you're limited to a certain speed due to the first and second shutter curtains. A lot of the example images shown throughout also look fantastic and I would've loved to hear more about how to achieve those type of looks rather than what the DVD actually spent a lot of time covering.

As someone said in another review, this DVD is mostly geared toward studio work. I take most of my photos outdoors but wanted to get a little more involved with studio-like work. This DVD seemed like it would be a good investment as it gives the impression that it will teach you how to achieve studio-like results with just the bare minimums (one Canon speedlite, possibly 2 (which is mentioned repeatedly throughout the disc)). I was excited after hearing this as I don't want to spend a great deal of money to setup a studio for product shots.

Unfortunately, a lot of the DVD focused on the same type of product shots (and kept flashing back to them). Ones that require a number of additional accessories (off camera cords, light boxes, reflector dishes as well as assistants and equipment to hold these)). Not exactly the type of equipment that a "newbie" would have lying around.

The video focuses almost entirely using the Digital Rebel cameras (mostly XT) so if you own one of these, it will be very easy to follow (I own the XTi and (as mentioned) the 580EXII). While the DVD was made using the previous models of each, it's still very easy and almost all points covered in the video match with the newer models.

My next complaint with the video is that some sections just get a brief 60 second explanation before rushing on to the next. One of the reasons I wanted to watch this video was for a better explanation (and maybe some ideas) of what I could use the "Multi Stroboscopic" effect for - this video just briefly covers what was in the manual and gives 1 poor example of what can be done.

Overall, I have mixed thoughts on the DVD. Some points covered seem to be helpful for "newbies" while others went over even my head. I like that it started out showing you how to achieve good results with the basics, but it quickly went on to feel like "All you need is a camera and a flash... and then this, this, that, this and that".

It did help explain some modes (such as FEL) but overall it's not something that I can justify the purchase of.

It's something worth watching once or twice before selling off. Borrow it if you can, but in the end, $20 isn't going to hurt you too bad compared to what some equipment will cost you!

Overall: 3.5

Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX/430EX is an excellent resource for photographers of any skill level, but particularly for beginning/novice photographers. While geared mostly towards portrait photography, many of the concepts presented can be easily translated into other photography styles (nature, photojournalism, etc.). The video does a good job of going through some basic theories of flash photography and does an excellent job of explaining and demonstrating the functions of the 580EX/430EX flashes. At around an hour runtime, this video was designed to be watched multiple times as the photographer practices the concepts explained during the presentation. While I enjoyed the video and will watch it again to reinforce the concepts I learned, the one knock against the video I have is that the author did not go more into use of the flash in a less-controlled environment (i.e., outside of the studio), which is how I use the camera a majority of the time. Still, as I said before, this video is an excellent tool for understanding how to use the excellent Canon flashes.

Ditto George's comments. Although the host purports at the beginning of the video that, "Wherever possible, we've kept this presentation simple and geared to the things you're most likely to shoot," I was very disappointed to discover that it concentrates almost exclusively on studio photography, along with a smattering of carefully staged outdoor photography with studio-type equipment. If your focus is studio photography, this dvd will likely prove very helpful. However, if you want to learn how to get the best out of your Speedlite 580EX or 430EX to shoot candids, travel photogrphy, or other real-life situations, do NOT buy this video.

concepts are clear, simple and concise.

you will be amazed the difference what some lighting can do for you.

Sound is clear, picture quality is good.

If you don't know what materials to get to understand flash photography. Get this 1st, books later.

Ming

Watching this DVD was time well spent. In just over 1 hour, I understood more about lighting in general and using the Canon Speedlite 580EX or 480EX than I could have ever got from the manual or another book. The production quality of the DVD is quite high and it has chapter marks so that one can easily rewatch any section desired. It was worth every penny and more!

The DVD is informative, and easy to watch. However, I felt that it was not a great value for the price. It's very basic, and covers studio techniques more than anything. I was hoping for a more detailed explaination of the features of the Speedlite and why they work the way they do. Also, the video was shorter than I thought it would be.
Additionally, the last part of the video focuses on how to use multiple Speedlite setups in a studio. If someone owns that much lighting equipment, they are already aware of everything explained by this DVD and probably will gain nothing by watching it.
As a new user of the Canon Speedlite, I wish I'd have saved the money and put it toward more lighting equipment instead.